Atishi video not 'doctored': Delhi Speaker

Senior AAP leader and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hit back at the Speaker and the BJP government, saying Atishi had not spoken anything against the Gurus and it was the BJP that was indulging in sacrilege by lying on the issue.

Mann said the forensic investigation in Punjab had established that Atishi did not say anything disrespectful. "It is the BJP that insulted Guru sahibs by adding subtitles to the video," Mann said, adding that a court in Punjab had also made its position clear on the issue.

"If the BJP believes the CBI is above even the (Punjab) forensic laboratory, then it should go ahead and order a CBI probe as well," said Mann.

Earlier, displaying the FSL report, Gupta said, in view of serious concerns over parallel investigations (in Delhi and Punjab) and alleged misuse of state agencies, he would direct that the matter be investigated by the CBI.

"The video clip was sent for forensic examination on January 8 on the demand of AAP. The FSL conducted a frame-by-frame examination using a specialised video analysis system and found no signs of alteration, manipulation or interference in either the audio or video," said Gupta.

Questioning the order passed by a court directing removal of Atishi videos from online platforms, he said no opportunity was provided to challenge the FSL report issued in Punjab.

Terming the matter as "extremely serious", Gupta said the misuse of state agencies for political purposes, particularly in issues involving religious reverence and legislative dignity, would not be tolerated.

“We respect the judiciary but won't allow the authority of the Delhi Legislative Assembly to be undermined through procedural shortcuts, parallel investigations, or politically motivated actions,” Gupta said.

Meanwhile, AAP chief whip in the Delhi Assembly, Sanjeev Jha, also accused the BJP of lying. "The BJP is now trying to turn that lie into truth but has been caught," he said.

“A forensic laboratory in Punjab issued a clear report on the issue, which has completely exposed the BJP. Delhi minister Kapil Mishra attempted to damage the country’s communal harmony by uploading the videos and spreading a blatant lie. Time has come for BJP leaders to apologise,” Jha said even as AAP demanded that Mishra be jailed.